SOUTHERN ALARM AND SECURITY

What SOUTHERN ALARM AND SECURITY does

Southern Alarm & Security (legally Southern Burglar Alarm Company, Inc.) is a family-owned security systems integrator founded in 1936 in Hendersonville, North Carolina, serving residential and commercial customers across Western North Carolina and adjacent South Carolina communities. The company designs, sells, installs, and monitors intrusion, fire, video surveillance, access control, and home automation systems, operating three owned offices in Hendersonville NC, Franklin NC, and Myrtle Beach SC.

The business model combines recurring monthly subscription revenue (Basic, Interactive, and Interactive+Video 24/7 monitoring tiers delivered through central station partner Daniels Monitoring in Asheville) with one-time equipment sales, professional installation, and ongoing service. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the company offers free on-site surveys, price-stable contracts, and equipment-transition services that allow customers switching from competitors to retain existing hardware. Revenue is generated across two primary customer segments — residential homeowners and commercial businesses (including hospitality, healthcare, retail, real estate, automotive, and manufacturing) — with named commercial customers such as Biltmore, UNC Health Pardee, Erlanger, Highland Brewing, Trailborn, The Cliffs, and Boyd Chevrolet Buick.

The technology stack is assembled from third-party platforms rather than proprietary IP: Alarm.com for residential and commercial monitoring, Qolsys IQ for home automation, and supporting integrations with Honeywell, DSC, Fire-Lite, Hikvision, Speco, Resideo, Ubiquiti, Turing.ai, and PCTEL. Distribution is direct and field-based, with full-time employed (not subcontracted) technicians conducting assessments, installation, and service. Growth has been driven primarily by acquisitions of smaller regional alarm operators — including Alltek Security (2021), Sounds Good Electronic and All Pro Alarm (2023), and Smoky Mountain Systems (2024) — under continuous family ownership since 1977.

Name

SOUTHERN ALARM AND SECURITY

Legal name

Southern Burglar Alarm Company, Inc.

Website

https://southernalarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Alarm & Security is a family-owned, 90-year-old regional integrator providing monitored intrusion, fire, video, access control, and home automation solutions to residential and commercial customers across Western North Carolina and South Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security and Fire Protection Services

NAICS

Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121)

SIC

Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAKAFAB

Commercial & Industrial Alarm Monitoring

Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/Alarm Monitoring & Emergency Dispatch Services

SECONDARYHSAHAAAA

Professional Monitoring (Burglar/Intrusion)

Home & Personal Services/Home Security, Alarm & Smart Home Services/Monitored Security & Intrusion Alarm Services

SECONDARYBPAKAFAC

Fire Alarm Monitoring & Dispatch

Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/Alarm Monitoring & Emergency Dispatch Services

SECONDARYHSAHACAB

Remote Video Monitoring Services (Live/Virtual Guard)

Home & Personal Services/Home Security, Alarm & Smart Home Services/Video Surveillance (CCTV) Systems & Monitoring

Keywords

• Security monitoring services
• Fire protection systems
• Commercial security solutions
• Home automation systems
• Access control systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Hendersonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Monitoring Services: Recurring monthly monitoring fees under tiered subscription plans (Basic, Interactive, Interactive+Video) providing 24/7 professional security, fire, flood, and carbon monoxide monitoring with local response coordination through Daniels Monitoring in Asheville
2. Equipment Sales and Installation: One-time sale and professional installation of security systems, cameras, access control systems, fire protection, and home automation equipment. Flexible purchase and leasing options available for commercial camera systems.
3. System Switching and Transition Services: Technical services to verify, transition, and set up existing equipment with new monitoring, including equipment compatibility assessment and on-site technician installation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Southern Alarm and Security sells, installs, and monitors residential and commercial security, fire protection, video surveillance, access control, and home automation systems. The company offers three tiers of 24/7 professional monitoring (Basic, Interactive, and Interactive+Video) delivered through Alarm.com and Qolsys IQ platforms, with local response coordination through Daniels Monitoring in Asheville. It also provides professional on-site assessments, installation by employed technicians, and equipment switching/transition services for customers moving from other monitoring providers.

Product overview

Southern Alarm & Security offers a portfolio of security, fire, camera, access control, and home automation solutions organized into three monitoring plan tiers (Basic, Interactive, Interactive+Video) and distinct residential and commercial service categories. The three monitoring plans serve as the foundational subscription tiers, with the Interactive and Interactive+Video plans building upon the Basic plan by adding remote device control, cellular connectivity, and video capabilities. Residential offerings include Security Systems, Home Automation, Home Cameras, Fire Protection, and Leak & Flood Protection. Commercial offerings include Security Systems, Fire Systems, Cameras, Access Control, and BDA Testing. The company also provides equipment transition services for customers switching from other monitoring providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Security Systems Custom-designed home security systems with integrated burglary and fire protection, professional monitoring, on-site consultation, and installation services for homeowners and families.
• Home Automation Smart home features including keyless entry, garage door control, smart lighting, thermostats, video doorbells, and two-way cameras controlled remotely via a single intuitive mobile app.
• Home Cameras Residential video camera systems including Wi-Fi cameras integrated with security systems and hardwired IP surveillance, with options ranging from basic to professional-grade.
• Residential Fire Protection Monitored smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, heat detectors, and combination units fully integrated with home security systems for immediate alert dispatch.
• Leak and Flood Protection Smart Water Valve system that detects leaks and automatically shuts off water, controllable via mobile app with integration into the security platform to prevent residential water damage.
• Commercial Security Systems Business security systems with intrusion and fire protection, 24/7 UL-Listed central station monitoring, and on-site assessments tailored to facility needs for businesses of all sizes.
• Commercial Fire Systems Commercial fire and life safety services including system installation, monitoring, design, sprinkler monitoring, fire inspections, and emergency call station monitoring.
• Commercial Cameras Cloud-based commercial security camera systems with 4 to 32 channel options through NVRs and DVRs, available with flexible purchase and leasing options.
• Access Control Cloud-based access control systems that integrate with alarm and video platforms, supporting single-door to multi-location deployments with unified management for businesses.
• BDA Testing Services Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) testing and commissioning services using automated network testing (PCTEL) to verify in-building communications coverage and generate FCC and local code compliance reports for ERCES.
• Equipment Switching and Transition Service Service that allows customers to switch monitoring providers by verifying existing equipment compatibility, performing necessary updates, and installing new monitoring software, with most existing equipment compatible with Southern Alarm's platforms.
• Professional 24/7 Monitoring Service Recurring 24/7 professional security, fire, flood, and carbon monoxide monitoring service with local response coordination through Daniels Monitoring in Asheville, delivered via Alarm.com and Qolsys IQ platforms in tiered subscription plans (Basic, Interactive, Interactive+Video).

Quantifiable outcome

• Faster emergency response through local monitoring partnership with Daniels Monitoring in Asheville
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Alarm.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary technology platform provider for residential and commercial security monitoring, video surveillance, and smart home integration. Southern Alarm sells and installs Alarm.com-powered systems including cameras, access control, and home automation features like the Smart Water Valve for leak detection.
• QolsyscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of IQ home automation platform and security panels. Featured product for residential home security (IQ Panel) and commercial security systems. Qolsys IQ platform enables keyless entry, smart lighting, thermostat control, video doorbells, and two-way cameras.
• Daniels MonitoringcoreTechnology or IntegrationLocal monitoring center located in Asheville, NC. Southern Alarm partners with Daniels for central station monitoring services, providing local response coordination for faster emergency response times compared to national monitoring providers.
• Honeywell (including Resideo and Fire-Lite brands)majorTechnology or IntegrationProvider of security systems, fire protection equipment, and related security hardware. Includes Fire-Lite brand for fire systems and Resideo for home automation. Previously exclusive dealer for First Alert Professional Security Systems (a Honeywell brand) in Western North Carolina since 1990.
• DSC (Digital Security Controls)majorTechnology or IntegrationProvider of security alarm panels and related security equipment used in system installations.
• HikvisionmajorTechnology or IntegrationProvider of video surveillance cameras and security camera equipment for both residential and commercial applications.
• SpecomajorTechnology or IntegrationProvider of security cameras, doorbells, and related equipment. Includes Speco Blue App for video management, playback, export, and sharing functionality.
• Ubiquiti (UI.com Physical Security)majorTechnology or IntegrationProvider of IP security cameras and network infrastructure for physical security applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Vivint Smart Home: Vivint is a national smart-home and security provider combining professionally installed systems with subscription monitoring and home automation. Broad incumbent competitor to Southern Alarm in the integrated security + smart-home category, with national reach and direct-to-consumer sales motion.
• Brinks Home: Brinks Home is a national home security provider offering professionally installed and DIY systems with 24/7 monitored security across the U.S. Broad incumbent competitor to Southern Alarm in monitored residential security, with a recognized national brand and authorized-dealer channel.
• ADT Inc. ADT is the largest U.S. residential and commercial security provider with nationwide monitoring, professional installation, and a deep authorized-dealer network. Broad incumbent competing with Southern Alarm in the same product category (monitored intrusion, fire, video) but with national scale, mass-market brand awareness, and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• CPI Security Systems: CPI Security is a regional, family-owned home and business security company headquartered in Charlotte, NC, serving the Carolinas and Southeast. Closest comparable to Southern Alarm given similar regional dealer model, Alarm.com-backed monitoring, multi-vertical commercial focus, and sales-led installation approach.
• Guardian Protection: Guardian Protection is a regional security and home automation provider serving multiple U.S. states with intrusion, fire, video, and smart-home solutions. Comparable to Southern Alarm in target customer (residential + commercial), recurring monitoring model, and professionally installed go-to-market.
• SafeStreets USA (ADT Authorized Dealer): SafeStreets is an authorized ADT dealer providing professionally installed home security systems with 24/7 monitoring across the U.S. Highly comparable business model to Southern Alarm: local field sales, professional installation, multi-tier monitoring subscriptions, and emphasis on service quality vs. DIY alternatives.
• Vector Security: Vector Security is a mid-sized regional security alarm company serving residential and commercial customers across multiple U.S. states with professional installation and 24/7 monitoring. Comparable to Southern Alarm in service mix (intrusion, fire, video, access control), subscription-based recurring revenue model, and multi-state regional dealer footprint.
• Ackerman Security Systems: Ackerman Security is a regional home and business security company serving the Southeast U.S. with monitored alarm, fire, and video solutions. Directly comparable to Southern Alarm given geographic overlap (Southeast), family/regional ownership profile, and similar product portfolio centered on professionally installed monitored systems.

Emerging players

• SimpliSafe: SimpliSafe is a leading DIY home security brand offering self-installed alarm systems with optional professional monitoring. Emerging player with significant brand pull among younger/tech-savvy consumers that competes with Southern Alarm for the residential intrusion-monitoring dollar via a fundamentally different (no-tech-install) go-to-market.
• Frontpoint Home Security: Frontpoint is a DIY-focused home security company offering self-installed systems with professional monitoring. Emerging player competing for the same residential customer base as Southern Alarm, but with a contrasting DIY/no-installation model that pressures the professionally installed value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southernalarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/southernalarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-alarm-and-security

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOUTHERN ALARM AND SECURITY